Carp fish is one of the most popular game fish for anglers all around the world. Carp fishes have a vast species, and you cannot name them all as carp. But to make things easy for a layperson, they are commonly called carp.
Popularity
In most countries around the world, carp fishes are very popular. Be it for angling or eating. So much so that it is a mythical symbol in a country like Japan. Even in Europe, the whole continent has eaten carp fishes for centuries and then made carp fishing as their favorite adventurous sport.
Situation In The USA
Unlike most of the continents and countries, carp fishing is not as trendy in the USA. Neither carp fishes are revered much in here like it is in Europe. In fact, carp fishes are considered pests, which basically ruins the other so-called very much in demand fishes in the area. The reason is that carps are generally the bottom-feeding fishes, to be precise omnivorous. You dump waste in the body of water, and carp are ready to eat those. Basically, they are like a trash can in the form of a fish that feeds on trash. Them eating animal remains and dead plants are considered as the reasons for their meat to taste weird, not pleasant, or tasty to eat. Thus many prefer killing the carp fishes.
Much-Needed Change
The situation is changing slowly in the USA, though, and the anglers have very much realized how challenging and adventurous the carp fishing could actually be. They lately understood carp fishes are no pests, in fact among the best fishes to catch, which grows and spreads pretty quick, thus available almost everywhere. Carp fishing is finding its momentum in states like Texas, North Carolina and Connecticut. They are high in demand, one way or the other. Regular people enjoy eating carp fishes, and anglers love catching them after facing the tough competition from not only the competitors but also the carp fish that took the bait.
Carp Fishing
Catching carp fishes is no mean feat. The intelligence they show and the fight they put is highly impressive. Then if you can get your fish hook taken by the big ones, the after-feel is absolutely satisfying. Some of the big ones’ size could be astounding. They seem like some other world species. Beautiful, massive, great fighter and are worth every struggle to catch. No wonder European anglers consider it to be among the high priced sport fishes. But what about texas carp fishing, do the anglers in Texas enjoy carp fishing the same way!
Carp Fishing in Texas
The journey from considering common carp trash fishes to making it the most popular gamefish was pretty long, but they reached there. Texans now love carp fishing, especially the people living in urban areas. To such an extent that Texas is one of the two states in the USA that has managed carp waters. A great amount of money is invested every year to arrange different carp fishing tournaments, competitions, and associations. People spend their precious time, energy, and money to enjoy fishing the not-so revered carp fishes. So, it will not be wrong to say carps are no more an unwanted species for people in Texas, rather the whole USA.
Habitat
Carp fishes came to the USA in 1877 and, after four years, in 1881 to Texas. They are not a native fish species in the USA, let alone Texas. So, it is not so unlikely to think that these fishes will not be going to adapt to Texas’s water condition. But to everyone’s surprise, they did and how!
Carp fishes adapt to the most polluted bodies of water. When other game fishes need plants and living species as food, carp fishes survive eating anything living or dead, roaming around any water level. Bottom, middle, or on the water surface, it just needs something to eat. Thus, the place these fishes populate, other game fishes do not have much chance to trespass the territory.
Since carp fishes easily adapt to the condition of the body of water so you can find them everywhere in Texas. Almost all the lakes and streams there. The Town Lake in Texas, now known as the Lady Bird Lake, could be called a game fish depot. It has a great stock present for the anglers from common carps to largemouth bass, sunfish, and catfish. Then you have the human-made lakes like 185000 acres Toledo Bend Reservoir, and Kirby Lake, also the reservoir Lake Decker. Carps are literally thriving in Texas.
Angling Carps In Lady Bird Lake
Carp fishes are among the most chased freshwater fishes in the world. So, when Lady Bird Lake has carp fishes at a significant number, people from all around the world will, of course, be up for catching some. Thus it took no time for this lake to become a popular spot for arranging the biggest fishing tournaments. It is known as the world-class trophy carp fishery, and every year anglers from other states and countries visit this lake to participate in various carp fishing competitions. The biggest carp caught in the Lady Bird Lake was approximately 44 pounds. It was a common carp and was caught in the year 2009. In fact, the other lakes and reservoirs we earlier referred also arrange various carp fishing tournaments and competitions.
Types Of Equipment
Carp is the easiest of fishes to catch. Though it is known to put on a great challenge by not easily surrendering, yet it is very easy to get hold of, with the simplest of equipment. The carps that weigh up to 15 pounds are way easier to catch. You can fish those carps with any rod and reel baiting them with corn, boilies, rotten potatoes, or plain dough balls. The 20-40 pounds and above carp fishes might need to apply some fishing techniques with upgraded gear to catch. However, that isn’t even mandatory. The experienced anglers have their own preferences, techniques, equipment, baits while catching the carps quickly and easily. But for you to start carp fishing, that few types of equipment and lures will suffice.
The key is always availability. Texas has enough harbors for carp fishes. All you Texans who are continuing underestimating the carp fishes till now must reconsider and try carp fishing at least once. We are pretty sure it will take only a single attempt for you to taste the blood.
